Thursday, December 19, 2013

This is no loose talk,
neither a negative remark ... It is the truth which cannot be suppressed. And,
there is nothing sensitive about it. The issue of transfer of an active and
honest officer like Mrs. Aslam Khan IPS, Superintendent of Police,
Anti-Corruption Unit was initially brought to the notice of the Administrator
by Andaman Chronicle through twitter on 11th Dec 2013. Instead of taking the cue, the Administrator
lambasted the paper using phrases like ‘loose talk’, and warned not to comment
on such sensitive issues on social media.

In fact, the technological
advances and convergences happening in the world of media, has redefined the
presentation of news and views. Social media, today plays a major role in breaking
stories.

Furthermore, in the absence
of an active opposition in the Islands; circumstances compel the media to
highlight such issues. The reply by the Administrator on the twitter was in bad
taste, which forced AC to bring out the facts before the readers. Instead of
going public with the issue, it thought it prudent to meet the Administrator
and appraise him about the issue. But, the meeting once again reiterated the
fact that the Administration was in no mood to listen to the sentiments of the
Islanders.

Chronicle had no option,
but to bring out a full-fledged report on the issue highlighting its various
facets.

The issue, which could have
been resolved in a 20 minute rendezvous with the Administrator fizzled out only
because of the ‘negative’ attitude of the Administration towards media and the
present Administrator falling prey to misconceptions created by his officers.

Media being the fourth
estate is a pillar without which democracy cannot prevail. It has a significant
role to play when it comes to development of the society at large, as the views
expressed are nothing but the voice of the common man; which gets suppressed or
are sidelined, intentionally.

The issue is not of Mrs.
Aslam Khan as a person. The issue is the sentiments of the Islanders, which are
being fiddled with. Had it been any other competent and honest officer in place
of Mrs. Khan, AC would have taken the same stand.

The report carried in
Andaman Chronicle on 16th Dec. 2013 has raised many eyebrows. While few took it
as an attempt to degrade, there were many who could not grasp the catch.

It is high time the
Administration seriously engage the media in the process of policies and
decisions, if at all it really means for the Islanders. Although, the media
woke up to the situation and highlighted the mistake, there were no takers.

The issue is a huge blow to
the Islanders who had sighed relief after the frustrating six and a half year
tenure of the former Lt. Governor Bhopinder Singh, when corruption was at its
best and the Anti-Corruption Unit in deep slumber. There was a sigh of relief
for the Islanders, when Lt. Gen. (Retd) AK Singh took over as the new Lt.
Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

A promising, energetic,
focussed, people friendly, open hearted and by following what he preached, Lt.
Governor AK Singh became the messiah of the Islanders. He is the most happening
person in the Islands who promises to rewrite the history of the islands. In
fact his promises seem better than what was published in a multi colour glossy
book of achievement, a special supplementary issue on the then Lt. Governor
Vakkom Purushottaman titled ‘Golden Era of Andaman & Nicobar Islands’,
published by the first private daily of the islands, ‘Andaman Herald’ in 1995.

AK Singh announced that his
prime focus would be on Health, Education, Connectivity and zero tolerance for
corruption. The announcement came as soothing relief for the islanders who
never expected the pace at which their new LG could grasp their pulse. Orders
were issued, directions given and time frame set, and the best part was the LG
himself interacting with the islanders through social media. His major
achievement in a short span came with his initiative for ‘Mock Disaster
Management Exercise’, which was proved during the recent Cyclone ‘Lehar’.

Even the Anti Corruption
Unit in deep slumber suddenly woke up, realizing they were sailing in a
different boat altogether. Connecting with the ideology of the Lt. Governor AK
Singh, the Superintendent of Police ACU, Mrs. Aslam Khan IPS came heavy on the
corrupt. She sent shivers down the spine of corrupt and disseminated the clear
message of Lt. Governor. To add, for the first time, the CID under her
leadership cracked the impossible, interstate crime ‘ATM Fraud’, the victims
being from across the country including the islanders. It was something which
was never imagined and even the police in the mainland India wondered.

When thing were gaining
momentum, with halted projects being reviewed and revived by the Lt. Governor;
it came as a major blow for the hope with the announcement of transfer of Mrs.
Aslam Khan from ACU. It shocked the Islanders, especially the youth and sent negative
vibes. Blushing faces turned pale, hopes for a bright future dimmed and the
question ‘why?’ loomed large.

The only sensible thing that the Administration should do at this
juncture is to come out with the non-existent allegations against the Officer
or render an apology for the goof-ups and re-instate her back as the SP,
Anti-Corruption Unit.

By Zubair Ahmed

The Administration, it appears to be in no mood to
accept the fact that they goofed up in this issue big time. To make things
worse and murkier, the goof up continues. It would be sensible and advisable
that instead of finding a motive behind the articles, they should be undoing
the wrong committed to the officer, and put an end to the 'loose talk'
emanating from high places.

Undoubtedly, the recent transfer of Mrs Aslam Khan
SP, Anti-Corruption Unit as Principal of Police Training School was a
miscalculated step by the Administration, which appears to have backfired. It
was projected as a routine Administrative step. However, when the news of her
transfer and the tads of allegations leveled against her appeared in the social
media, the Lieutenant Governor tried to play it down saying that it was
sensitive issue and the media should not indulge in 'loose talk' and comment
without verifying full facts. Unfortunately, there are no facts either.

The first goof-up was the transfer of an honest
officer, with a motive to keep her away and protect a few corrupt elements.
When media tried to bring it to the notice of the Administrator, he tried to set
in the media in harsh words, and then started a series of lies.

When the Administrator was contacted, he reiterated
that there are many allegations against her, which cannot be revealed or
shared. A sense of mild guilt too was pervading, or why he had to stress and
say that the officer was commended for her good work. An officer, against whom,
many allegations are pending does not deserve any commendation. This was the
first instance of cover-up. However, the media did not buy that and went ahead
and published the story revealing all the facets.

For the next 48 hours, there has been a deafening
lull from the side of Administration. However, its not all silent. Vibes from
the Police Headquarters confirm that there are no allegations as of now against
the said officer. But, a senior police officer is learnt to have been engaged
in a series of Goebbelsian propaganda against the officer as well as the media.

Rather than addressing the issue, or coming out
with a clarification, they found it convenient to float rumours of gargantuan
proportions. As widely quoted, when all arguments fail, religion is the only
argument left. Playing favourite mind games, the senior police officer is
learnt to bring a communal angle to the issue. They seriously believe that the
communal angle might divert the attention from the issue.

Moreover, another rhetoric that is gradually
cropping up is that some vested interests are instigating the media, which is
another allegation, which they won't be able to substantiate ever.

Initially it was unfound allegations against Mrs
Aslam Khan, and now one upon another they are trying to build as many lies as
possible. Only regret is that they will utterly fail in establishing any one of
them.

Some elements close to the Chief Secretary Anand
Prakash did send feelers that the Chief Secretary is interested to meet, but it
would be prudent on the side of media to communicate through the paper instead
of a personal meeting. The only sensible thing that the Administration should
do at this juncture is to come out with the non-existent allegations against
the Officer or render an apology for the goof-ups and re-instate her back as
the SP, Anti-Corruption Unit.

Its high time, the Administration refrains from
venturing into rumuor mongering and initiate an enquiry. Or all the bluff they
are interested in propagating might not help them in diverting the media or the
Islanders from the core issue.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Core values like Imandari, Wafadari and Izzat should be the guiding forces,
reiterated our Lieutenant Governor in two very important gatherings last week.

Its almost six months, the new Administrator, A K
Singh took charge of the Island territory. A
refreshing change for the Islands after
prolonged six and half years, the territory gets a new Administrator with clear
vision and intentions.

He is trying his best to be a contrast to his
predecessor and has been successful to an extent. AK Singh wants to stand
against everything, in word and deed, that Bhopinder Singh was. He tried to
connect with people and employed all tactics for that. His whirlwind tours were
well attended and appreciated. Indeed, he changed the way people look towards
an Administrator.

However, he is yet to understand the mechanics of civil
administration, where mutual trust and faith are two important factors rather
than regimentation and commands.

In Defence forces, everything is sensitive and
discreet. However, in a civil governance setup, transparency and openness are
paramount. No decision is sensitive to be kept a secret as far as public office
is concerned.

After six months, although he has good grasp of the
Islands, its challenges and opportunities, it
seems he miserably failed in gauging the dynamics of civil administration. He
should have approached the Administration without a myopic vision. But, his
vision was blurred by his immediate advisor, the Chief Secretary. Today, he
looks the Administration through CS’s eyes, who engineers and manipulates his
views according to his whims and fancies. There are officials in the good book
as well as bad book of the LG and unfortunately, the books are photocopies of
the Chief Secretary. He failed to have an impartial and neutral assessment of
the officers. The Islands that the Chief
Secretary has created within the Administration remains disconnected without a
bridge.

The lieutenant in question here enjoys blind trust
of the Administrator. On the one hand, the Administrator harps on zero-tolerance
against corruption, but his lieutenant openly supports and protects corrupt
elements. The Administrator wants encroachment to be eliminated, whereas his
lieutenant gives instructions to the DC to go slow on it. The Administrator talks
positive and development, whereas his lieutenant thinks only negative and
anti-development.

Either the Chief Secretary's memory power is very
high, or he don't give a damn to all the announcements the Administrator makes
at the functions. The announcements and decisions made by the Administrator at
different functions are never followed up.

The Lieutenant Governor who like to mingle with
common man on the ground, and have cup of tea on the streets and mutton
delicacies on far away beaches with local tourists, also needs to meet people
in Chief Secretary’s absence, to get proper feedback, in an unrehearsed
atmosphere. He will get to know the true meaning of the core values – Imaandari, Wafaadari and Izzat!

Anand Prakash, IAS Chief Secretary of the Islands is a
personified package of sarcasm, negativity, inaction, loose talk and flippant
attitude, enjoying his clout with the Administrator. High time that the
Administrator realizes that his Lieutenant's misdemeanors have serious
repercussions on everything he envisions.

Don't be deceived by his age or position. He is a man
known in all circles as one person, albeit second in command, who indulges in
all types of loose talk and character assassination. Ask any responsible
officer in the Administration, who has not faced the axe. Sarcasm and
negativity are his two traits. In a recent meeting of Andaman and Nicobar Innovation
Council, he started with the remark "What Innovation?" and that sets
the agenda. Perhaps he needs a basic
reorientation from Sam Pitroda, who heads the National Council.

This article was long overdue, but the compulsion
of time and space required by the new Administrator to assess his family and take
appropriate corrective measures had prolonged the wait for six months. This
article can be conjured as a negative piece in LG's parlance. But this is a
positive feedback, which is literally behind schedule. The language and tone of
the article may be repulsive, but the transgressions of the Chief Secretary
cannot be put in any dignified way.

The context being the recent bungle in the transfer
of Mrs Aslam Khan, SP Anti-Corruption Unit, which cannot be misconstrued as a
routine administrative step. The Chief Secretary played a very ruthless role in
the episode. Moreover, to cover up his fault, he indulged in a vilification
campaign against the woman officer. (See Story: Aslam Khan IPS: Victim of Honesty)

The chemistry between the Lieutenant Governor and
the Chief Secretary is a matter of public discussion. Literally, the Chief
Secretary is piggy-riding the Lieutenant Governor. In fact, all the photos of
the Administrator riding the bike, and CS as a pillion rider sum up the
approach and attitude. The role reversal is not anymore a secret.

The Chief Secretary who shirks from taking
decisions, and had stalled projects citing one after another reason, was happy
that the new Lieutenant Governor would do the decision making process, keeping
him safe. In fact LG took the role of the CS and started visiting various
ministries pursuing the issues. All the work of Chief Secretary is being done
by the LG and CS is just enjoying the show.

In fact, what the Chief Secretary found in the
Lieutenant Governor is a shoulder he can bank upon without any risk or
accountability. Why all the major project, the Administrator is now pursuing
with various ministries were delayed at the first place is not a mystery.

This Chief Secretary, who is negativity and
anti-development personified, was instrumental in all those projects being
delayed or shelved off. More than his negativity, shrouded in administrative
procedures, his pessimism reflects in every decision he takes.

His cynical approach was the one reason why the Submarine
Fibre Optic Project got delayed. It’s almost a scam. After opening financial
bids, he calls Airtel, the ineligible party to negotiate. In a way, it’s a
readymade case fit for CVC. Although the bid was opened in February 2013, work
was not awarded, whereas the normal implementation period was 18 months and would
have been commissioned by January 2015. The project which costs near about a
thousand crores had put him in a dilemma, and the safest way out was blame his
immediate subordinates about procedural lapses and over-stepping and delay it,
and he did it in a bureaucratic finesse. The whole process is being repeated
now without any remorse.

A High Powered Committee on Shipping was formed,
which could have expedited the process of acquisition and wet lease of ships of
various categories. When the Home Secretary had made it very clear that ANI
Admn could itself acquire small ships, he as usual shirked responsibility, and
wanted Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) on board, which delayed the project
to his satisfaction. He handed over to SCI the job of 155-800 pax ships, which
was fine, however, 27 small tugboats and small ships were to be purchased by
ANI Admn. It was a windfall for SCI, when the whole procurement was handed over
to them, as the money involved was huge. He also blocked payment of new ships
being made by Bharti Shipyard, and the work was halted due to non-payment since
February 2013. They were scheduled to give two 1500-pax ship in December 2014
and March 2015.

The Andaman and Nicobar Solar Power Policy was
announced in April 2012. Chief Secretary Anand Prakash joined in May 2012. And
he wishfully killed the project by October 2012. Same policy was announced by
Govt of India in January 2013 for all India and in fact Delhi Govt has
already started implementing it. The roof-top solar project, which was much
needed to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel for power generation was
cancelled at the last minute just before the tender was to be opened. He blamed
his Principal Secretary of procedural lapses and got the project shelved.

The long pending issue between IPP Suryachakra
Power Corporation Ltd and Andaman Administration was aggravated by the Chief
Secretary, who off the record even blamed that JERC is corrupt, and hence a
decision against the Administration. He was reluctant to release the long
pending due of completion cost to SPCL, and JERC had ordered the payment
immediately. The Chief Secretary took the order casually, and was finally fined
Rs 1 Lakh or three months in prison.

The wet lease of 18-seater twin engine seaplane for
long-haul inter-Island connectivity were also on the verge of finalisation,
which he deferred citing umpteen excuses. The Islands
could have two brand new aircrafts, the first one by April and the second
September 2013. He chaired pre-bid meeting in November 2012 and unilaterally
imposed change of supply schedule conditions from 8 months to 5 months. The
suppliers backed out citing that no new twin engine carrier is available till
February 2013. What was available was the refurbished ones. It is certainly
felt that it was a deliberate attempt to ensure extensions to Mehair, which
runs the existing seaplane. The bids were made thrice and all kept failing due
to the wish-washy attitude. It’s a fact that the ANI Admn pays Rs one crore
monthly to Mehair, in which only Rs 37 lakhs is the outgo. What happens to the
balance money is anybody’s guess.

Many more projects which could have changed the
face of the Islands also met same fate.

Chief Secretary Anand Prakash is a master of
inaction, but found very active in loose talk. There is not a single officer
including women on whom he has not traded his tirades. He spreads rumors about
the fidelity of officers. He doesn't even care barging into their privacy and spread
rumours about secretaries and directors. It’s a fact any person sitting in CS’s
chamber can corroborate that if any female leaves his office, whether visitor
or officer, he passes lewd comments the moment she steps out, even if other
people are sitting in office. In meetings, all his remarks are sarcastic, which
demoralizes the workforce.

Divide and rule is the policy he has honed and
applied perfectly, and which he follows religiously. He has been quite
successful in creating wide divides inside Secretariat. There has been no time,
when the Officers were not divided into camps. The Secretariat has many Islands
inside an Island. Since his posting, he has
been meticulously working on creating a divide. There are officers, in his good
book and there are others, who are thrown out at will.

Without a bete noire, his existence seems
meaningless. As soon as Jalaj Shrivastav, Principal Secretary left the Islands, he turned his tirade against Ms Rina Ray,
Principal Secretary. All those who were close to Jalaj Shrivastav was dumped
and thrown into inconsequential posts. The divisions are quite obvious. He also
pits junior officers against their seniors. The tactic Chief Secretary employs
to reign in his Secretaries is by pitting Directors against them. It happened
with SE Electricity, Chief Engineer APWD, Director, Education during last year.
In a recent development, following the dictum of the Lieutenant Governor,
Commissioner cum Secretary, Revenue asked the Deputy Commissioner to initiate
eviction of encroachment. Soon, the DC was called by the CS and asked to go
slow on this issue. And the Chief Secretary enjoys the heartburn between the
Secretary and DC.

Unfortunately, the clout the Chief Secretary enjoys
with the new Administrator is blurring LG’s vision towards many issues, which
will take time for him to grasp. It was CS’s luck that he got an Administrator,
who is pro-active and takes initiatives. Otherwise, he was such a character,
who was just whiling away his time in the Islands.
Albeit, he cannot guide, he enjoys the clout to misguide the Administrator,
which will have serious repercussions.

In the past six years, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU)
was misused and abused to mint money and settle scores by a set of officials,
and its a fact every Islander acknowledges. However, the picture changed with
the Lieutenant Governor setting a goal of zero-tolerance towards corrupt
practises. The change in guard in the ACU and structural changes were
monumental in setting a new standard in dealing with corruption.

Mrs Aslam Khan, SP, ACU in a short span proved her
mettle by trapping many corrupt government servants. Series of successful
operations had started to create a sense of fear, when she was moved out and
made Principal, PoliceTraining School.

From the outset, the transfer of SP Aslam Khan might
look like any other administrative decision, but it is a failure of collective morality
of the Administration.

She has become the victim of calumny and many
unsubstantiated charges are being floated by a section, and unfortunately, the
rumours emanating from the Chief Secretary's chamber is what is now discussed
on the streets.

In fact, she was shunted out of the department, as
she had ruffled many feathers, and the interests of many had been compromised.

It all started with the
arrest of four officials of Port Blair Municipal Council by the Anti Corruption
Department, of A&N Police based on a complaint of corruption received. The
arrest was made on 9th Oct. 2013 at evening hours under section
13(1)d/13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 read with Sec. 420/120B of
IPC. All of them were later released on bail.

Prior to the arrest, when
the Anti-corruption Unit moved the file, what conspired between the Secretary,
Vigilance, Municipal Secretary and the Chief Secretary is a mystery. However,
when SP Aslam Khan met the Chief Secretary, there was clear instruction not to
proceed in the case. She was asked to drop the charges. According to reliable
sources present in the CS's chamber, when she demanded a written note from the
CS, he turned wild and instructed Public Prosecutor, S K Mondal not to contest
the bail. The Public Prosecutor did not appear, and sent his Assistant. All
four of them were released on bail.

What were the
circumstances, where a Chief Secretary had to intervene to block the arrest of
junior level employees of PBMC, indulged in corrupt practices? Does the buck
stop at the four foot soldiers or it has ramifications beyond that ? Is the
Municipal Secretary also being protected?

The Chief Secretary enjoys
the clout of both the Politicians as well as the Administrator, and in this
specific case, it is learnt that he obliged his political friends and did not
deter from putting immense pressure on Aslam Khan to submit, which he didn't
budge. However, Court granted the accused bail, as CS had the last say.

The Chief Secretary is the
Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), with 40 departments under him. In many cases, trying
to protect his own officers, he sits on the files. In another instant, a case
on an Assistant Engineer in APWD in Rangat, is still pending. The AE, a native
of Rangat also runs proxy business units and indulges in various corrupt
practices, which were substantiated by Anti-Corruption Unit. Because of the
proximity of the AE to the Chief Engineer (APWD), who in turn, as of now is in
the good books of the CS, there is no movement in the case.

Above all, the Chief
Secretary has started a slander campaign against Mrs Aslam Khan, SP. Wild
allegations that she has indulged in corrupt practices are all over the place.
The latest rumour is that she was hand in glove with a non-governmental organization,
working against corruption, and has indulged in corrupt practices. And it is
being spread through various channels, which are yet to be substantiated. When
asked for a list of allegations, the authorities said that it cannot be shared
with anybody.

The way the whole issue was
dealt smelt of corruption and favouritism in higher places, and the fallout was
the transfer of a competent officer, who was performing well. The justification
that the replacement officer, Shibesh Singh, IPS is highly qualified and
competent is not the answer to the question why an honest and competent officer
like Mrs Aslam Khan IPS is being replaced.

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About The Light of Andamans

The Light of Andamans’ was born out of the zeal and determination to fight against the suffocating Kafkaesque atmosphere on the society that existed even after 30 years of Independence under bureaucratic rule. It was a hangover of the ‘Raj’that extended much too long in the Islands.

The Light of Andamans’ was started in 1975. The paper had always been a crusader, taking up the causes that no other newspaper would touch. In doing so, it very often stepped on the toes of the authorities and had to face persecution in the form of denial of advertisements and numerous court cases against it. For a small stint, the publication came to a halt in 2003.

Gezira Publications Private Limited took over the paper in the year 2005 and transferred the title in a bid to revive the second oldest newsmagazine from extinction and also to carry forward the mission.

The Newsmagazine, under the new management, has undergone a sea change both in form and content. It turned into a full-fledged tabloid with 10 pages with plenty of photographs making both pleasing to the eyes and soothing for the mind. “It has acquired a position where it influences the policies in vital matters concerning the development of the islands, protection of aboriginal tribes and addressing the problems of the disadvantaged groups. The newsmagazine is known and appreciated for its bold, free, fair and balanced reporting.”

Late Govinda Raju and his team worked very hard to rebuild the reputation, goodwill and a healthy new image of the newsmagazine brick by brick. After the demise of Mr Raju in 2010, the magazine is now being edited by Zubair Ahmed and published by Basudev Dass. The newsmagazine continues its mission of highlighting policy issues pertaining to the Islands.